On June 15, 2022, around 15,000 gallons of an oil and chemical mixture were discharged into the Flint River, sparking investigations by state and federal authorities.
According to Nessel, the spill resulted from Minhas’ failure to address critical facility maintenance issues, refusal to implement necessary upgrades, and lack of preventive measures. Moreover, Minhas did not provide employees with annual emergency training, she explained in a press conference.
Despite the clear evidence linking the discharge to Lockhart, Minhas initially denied that the oil and chemical mixture had come from his company in the aftermath of the spill, Nessel said.
Following his arraignment, Minhas was released on a personal recognizance bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 2.
After the 2022 spill and as investigations into the company’s waste management practices continued, Lockhart filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The company disclosed assets between $1 million and $10 million, and liabilities between $10 million and $50 million in its initial bankruptcy filing in October 2022.
